Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Calls on U.S. to End “Hostile” North Korea Policy During Seoul Talks

On August 19, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Seoul for talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. Wang urged the United States to abandon its “hostile policy” toward Pyongyang, calling it a barrier to peace on the peninsula. When asked about Beijing’s role in a possible U.S.–North Korea summit, Wang said the decision rests with the two parties.

South China Morning PostWang Yi Urges U.S. to Drop Hostile North Korea Policy Reuters

The meeting follows recent diplomatic shifts. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump announced a scaling back of joint U.S.–South Korea drills, citing his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and a desire to revive dialogue. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, in a Liberation Day address, outlined a blueprint for “peaceful coexistence” with the North and called for multilateral talks to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War.

ReutersChina’s Wang Yi to visit Seoul amid Korean peace push South China Morning Post

China, North Korea’s sole formal treaty ally, has emphasized its interest in regional stability.

Wang Yi Says U.S. Must Change Hostile Policy Toward North Korea, Leaves U.S.-North Korea Talks to Parties Involved

• Wang Yi said China will continue to play a constructive role for peace and called on South Korea to pursue an “independent, autonomous, balanced and non-conflicting” foreign policy. He noted China’s status as the world’s largest market and its geographic proximity to South Korea.

South China Morning Post

• Cho Hyun expressed South Korea’s commitment to denuclearization and willingness to cooperate with China.

Chinese FM Wang Yi: "Hope South and North Korea Move Toward Peace and Coexistence... China Will Play Constructive Role"

• President Lee Jae-myung is slated to meet Wang the following day to discuss bilateral relations and regional security.

China’s Wang Yi to visit Seoul amid Korean peace push

• President Trump framed the reduction of drills as a goodwill gesture toward North Korea and indicated openness to future talks with Kim Jong-un.

Reuters

• “That is a matter for North Korea and the United States to decide,” — Wang Yi

South China Morning Post

• “We hope that South Korea will proceed from its own fundamental interests and develop its external relations in an independent, autonomous, balanced and non-conflicting manner,” — Wang Yi

South China Morning Post

• “In particular, the United States must change its long-standing hostile policy toward North Korea.” — Wang Yi

Wang Yi Says U.S. Must Change Hostile Policy Toward North Korea, Leaves U.S.-North Korea Talks to Parties Involved

• August 19 – Wang Yi’s arrival in Seoul.

China’s Wang Yi to visit Seoul amid Korean peace push

• This is Wang’s first Seoul visit in five years; his previous meeting with Cho was in September 2021.

China’s Wang Yi to visit Seoul amid Korean peace push

Wang will meet President Lee the day after the foreign-minister talks and attend a luncheon with National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac. Both sides aim to coordinate on upcoming regional forums, including the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November. The outcome will influence China’s role in the broader peace push involving the United States, South Korea, and North Korea.

Wang Yi Urges U.S. to Drop Hostile North Korea Policy ReutersChina’s Wang Yi to visit Seoul amid Korean peace push